The best strips of sand under the Caribbean sun are the ones less traveled. The ones away from the throngs of tourists and all-inclusives. Here are a few of my favorite secluded beaches throughout the West Indies.

Bathing, Beers and Beautiful Buck Island

Literally beg one of my friends with a boat to have a Buck Island lime.

There’s no better way to spend the day than casting off, heading north for a few minutes, and weighing anchor at this protected paradise.

The water is warm and crystal clear. You can even go for a short hike if you get bored, but really this is just about limin’ strong. Knocking back some Greenies, floating around, reminiscing and letting the hours pass blissfully by.

What’s one of my favorite things to do when I go home to St. Croix?

Literally beg one of my friends with a boat to have a Buck Island lime.

There’s no better way to spend the day than casting off, heading north for a few minutes, and weighing anchor at this protected paradise.

The water is warm and crystal clear. You can even go for a short hike if you get...

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What’s one of my favorite things to do when I go home to St. Croix?

Literally beg one of my friends with a boat to have a Buck Island lime.

There’s no better way to spend the day than casting off, heading north for a few minutes, and weighing anchor at this protected paradise.

The water is warm and crystal clear. You can even go for a short hike if you get bored, but really this is just about limin’ strong. Knocking back some Greenies, floating around, reminiscing and letting the hours pass blissfully by.

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Set Sail to Buck Island and Beyond with Captain Carl

by Patrick Bennett, AFAR Ambassador

As cool as the Caribbean sun is hot, Captain Carl Punzenburger can usually be found sailing from St. Croix to the Buck Island Reef National Monument just off the northern coast.
I took this shot on a recent Saturday sailing trip with Carl and I can safely say: there are few better ways to spend a Saturday in the islands than limin' and snorkeling by Buck Island.